New Cub Scout ORIENTATION GUIDE

SAMOSET.ORG (715) 355-1450 YOUR CUB SCOUT PACK

Pack Number Den

Pack Meeting Location

Pack Meeting Time

Next Pack Meeting Date

Den Meeting Location

Den Meeting Time

Next Den Meeting Date

Cubmaster Name

Cubmaster Phone Number

Cubmaster Email Address

Den Leader Name

Den Leader Phone Number

Den Leader Email Address

Additional Notes & Contact Information

Samoset Council Office & Scout Shop 3511 Camp Phillips Road Weston, WI 54476 Phone: (715) 355-1450 • Fax: (715) 355-9849 www.samoset.org WHY CUB SCOUTS?

Your time is valuable. Today more than ever, families struggle to find time to spend together. Cub Scouting helps support your family by providing ready made opportunities to enrich your time together.

Your son needs to belong to a group of boys his own age. Cub Scout-age boys benefit developmentally from belonging to a group of boys their own age. Through this sense of belonging, boys build self-esteem and learn to get along with others.

In a society where your son is taught winning is everything, Cub Scouting teaches him to “do his best” and be helpful to others. As a parent, you want to be assured that the groups that your boy joins will teach values consistent with good citizenship, character development, and physical fitness. The Boy Scouts of America has been weaving these lifetime values into fun and educational activities since 1910.

But we know that boys don't join Cub Scouts to get their character built. Boys join because it's fun! CUB SCOUT BASICS

The Cub Scout program is designed to involve your son in a group of boys his own age where he can earn status and recognition while gaining a sense of personal achievement from the new skills he learns.

Your Son Belongs to a Den A den is made up of up boys who are the same age and/or grade (see below) who meets two or three times a month to work on advancement. Den meetings are run by a den leader, but parents attend and share in the planning of den meetings.

Tiger Den Bear Den 1st grade or 7 years old 3rd grade or 9 years old

Wolf Den Webelos Den 2nd grade or 8 years old 4th & 5th grade or 10 years old

Your Son and His Den Belong to a Pack A pack consists of several dens and meets once a month. The Cubmaster leads the monthly pack meeting, and each den participates with skits, games, songs, and ceremonies. Each meeting will also include recognizing Scouts for activities they have participated in, adventures they have earned, and projects they have completed.

Your Pack is Run by a Committee Led by a committee chair, the committee includes den leaders, pack leaders, and parents. The committee selects leaders, finds meeting places, keeps records and finances, orders badges, and plans activities. The committee meets once a month or more often if needed.

Your Pack is Owned By A Chartered Organization Chartered Organizations approve leadership, help secure a meeting place, and keeps the pack within both their organizational guidelines and policies and those of the BSA. Chartered Organizations include churches, parent- school associations, service clubs, and other organizations interested in youth development. CUB SCOUT BASICS

Cub Scout Motto: Do Your Best! Doing your best is one of the most important things Cub Scouts learn. When boys compare themselves to other people, they can become complacent (if they’re high achievers) or discouraged (if they have to work harder to accomplish the same goals). Focusing on doing their personal best helps them feel good about themselves and see their potential for doing even better. This helps boys see no one can find fault with them if they always do their best.

Cub Scout Advancement In Scouting, advancement is the process by which a member meets certain requirements and earns recognition. The Cub Scout advancement program is a blend of activities boys do in their homes and activities they do in a den meeting setting. As requirements are completed, boys are awarded recognition items to mark their progress. Regardless of grade, all boys who join Cub Scouts start by earning the Bobcat badge. After receiving the Bobcat badge, a boy works on the requirements based on his grade level.

Cub Scout Program Highlights Fall Cub Camp - Experience Cub Scout Camp for the first time! Cubs will enjoy a sponge fight, archery, BB guns, wrist rockets, games, and more! Popcorn Sale - Scouts can earn money for camp, uniforms, books, and other programs by participating in the Samoset Council popcorn sale. Pinewood Derby - Parent/son project to build a race car made from a block of wood to race at the pack Pinewood derby. Don’t miss the big race! Scouting for Food - Take part in Scouting's largest service project and collect food for local charities. Akela's World Summer Camp - Fun and adventure while participating in exciting activities and working on advancement. WHICH DISTRICT AM I IN?

Your pack is a member of a district, a geographic area of the Samoset Council. The district supports the pack in providing a high-quality program. An employee of the Samoset Council, your District Executive, is a great resource for your pack.

District & DE Area Ahdawagam Adams, Arkdale, Babcock, Friendship, Grand Marsh, Dan Schmit Nekoosa, Pittsville, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Vesper, (715) 409-6155 Wisconsin Rapids

Mushkodany Almond, Amherst, Amherst Junction, Bancroft, Dean Bushey Custer, Junction City, Milladore, Mosinee, Plover, (715) 409-6637 Rosholt, Stevens Point

Ojibwa Abbotsford, Athens, Auburndale, Blenker, Colby, Adam Freund Edgar, Hewitt, Marathon, Marshfield, Spencer, (715) 409-6486 Stratford, Unity, Withee

Rib Mountain Birnamwood, Gresham, Hatley, Hewitt/Texas, Christine Reynebeau Kronenwetter, Maine, Rib Mountain, Ringle, (715) 409-6487 Rothschild, Schofield, Stettin, Wausau, Wittenberg

Northwoods Boulder Junction, Butternut, Gleason, Medford, Steven Lowe Merrill, Minocqua, Park Falls, Phillips, Prentice, Rib (715) 409-0819 Lake, Stetsonville, Tomahawk, Woodruff

Crystal Lake Antigo, Crandon, Eagle River, Elcho, Harshaw, Land Steven Lowe O’Lakes, Laona, McNaughton, Newbold, Phelps, St. (715) 409-0819 Germain, Rhinelander, Three Lakes

Our pack is part of the district.

Our District Executive is . HOW CAN I HELP?

Successful dens and packs rely on parent participation. Volunteering gives you a chance to help your son and his friends, as well as be a positive influence on the youth in your community. By volunteering you are also giving your son the gift of your time. What could be more valuable? Here are some ways you can volunteer:

Working With Boys Den Leader - Leads the den at den and pack meetings. Participates in the monthly pack committee meeting. Cubmaster - Runs the monthly pack meeting. Works closely with the pack committee to plan and carry out the annual program.

The Pack/Parent Committee Pack committee members (some positions listed below) perform administrative functions of the pack. Note: all Scouting units are local; your pack may have different or additional roles. Committee Chair - Overall coordination of pack plan and parent volunteers. Presides at all pack committee meetings. Secretary/Treasurer - Keeps records of pack funds (collections and expenses) and reports to the committee. Advancement Chair - Maintains advancement records for the boys. Orders and obtains all badges and insignia. Parent Helpers - “One shot” program jobs of short duration, such as coordinating the popcorn sale, Scouting for Food, etc.

Quality Training for Leaders Training is provided to teach adult volunteers how to be a successful in their role. All required training courses for Cub Scout leaders are available online to complete at your own pace. Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers, and parents are strongly encouraged to take Youth Protection training to become familiar with policies, procedures, and guidelines. Go to my.scouting.org and create an account to gain access to all available training content. HOW MUCH DOES SCOUTING COST?

Registration Fee: $24 per year (January - December) Boy’s Life: $12 per year Handbook: $13 per year Uniform: $50-70 for a new Scout Pack Dues: $

Cub Scout Uniform Essentials The typical uniform parts are shown below, all of which can be purchased at the Samoset Council Scout Shop in person, over the phone, or via email. Check with your pack leaders to find out what uniform parts are recommended. If assistance is needed in purchasing a uniform, please contact the Samoset Council office.

Tigers Wolves Bears Webelos Shirt Shirt Shirt Shirt

Neckerchief Neckerchief Neckerchief Neckerchief

Slide Slide Slide Slide

Handbook Handbook Handbook Handbook

Patches Worn by All Scouts Samoset Council patch World Crest Pack numerals